December letters: Readers weigh in on the national debt, TikTok and Nov. midterm elections

The media should address the national debt 

A suggestion: Why not address the fiscal nightmare overhanging the people of America that no one has the courage to discuss?  

Our country has a debt load of $38 TRILLION dollars and growing. That’s 123% of our total GNP and more than $100,000 per American. It is perhaps the greatest danger to the future of America. Yet, the media avoids the mention of it. Why? Because no one wants to hear it, and it’s very unpolitic. Politicians know that bringing that issue up is political suicide. Only the media can make our people aware of it, possibly in time to take action to avoid a fiscal collapse of our nation. 

I believe that the first forceful journalist to air this pending catastrophe can ultimately save the nation from its worst nightmare. 

I look forward to reading your cyber version of the RN&R. 

Peter Chiarella, Napa, Calif. 

TikTok grows patriotism; we need to keep it around 

I’m the owner of Custom Jacks, a Nevada-based business that creates handmade art featuring the American flag. As a Coast Guard veteran, I recognize the importance of upholding our flag and spreading patriotism around the United States. TikTok has helped my business do just that. 

I started Custom Jacks with my business partner, a Marine Corps veteran, in 2019, and we are continually seeking new ways to reach new customers and market our products. Since we created our TikTok account, the exponential growth we’ve seen has led to numerous new sales and increased traffic to our website, enabling us to continue to hire employees, many of whom are veterans themselves. We’re grateful that TikTok has equipped our business to take off. 

Our business has grown so significantly that even the president of the United States has taken notice of us. He ordered one of our flags a few months ago, and it now has a permanent home in the White House. If that doesn’t represent patriotism, I don’t know what does. 

My business relies on TikTok to reach customers and stay competitive. I urge Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto to support the deal to keep this platform—and Nevada’s small business economy—strong and stable. 

Andy Lynam, Henderson 

The midterm election shows we can resist Trump’s power grab 

On Nov. 4, voters throughout the country soundly repudiated Trump and the malfeasance, corruption and meanness his administration embodies. While commentators ascribe many reasons for the Democrats’ success, including the economy, Epstein and election protection, they missed the important effect of powerful public protests: Nearly 8 million people took to the streets across the country, with hand-drawn signs and peaceful presence, and that action engaged others to get out and vote. 

Many people who feel dissatisfied, fearful and angry about Trump’s mis-administration of our government saw that they are not alone. We CAN resist Trump’s dictatorship. They saw friends and strangers coming to protest and realized that they also can participate, at least by voting. 

 While MAGA media mouthpieces ask, disingenuously, “What do those protesters want?” people are saying on protest signs and on ballots, “no dictators,” “no corruption,” “rule of law,” “democracy.” 

Join in! You are not alone. 

Bruce Joffe, Piedmont, Calif.